Ken Willis

By Staff, 05/29/17 4:27 PM

Mr. Ken Willis, 83, of Old Washington, Arkansas, passed away at his residence in Grapevine, Texas on May 27, 2017. Born July 23rd 1933 in Murfreesboro Arkansas to George & Maggie Willis.

He is preceded in death by his parents, 3 brothers, 2 sisters and grandson Ralph.

 

He is survived by his wife of almost 62 years Mary Sue (Byers) Willis; his three children: Ken Willis and wife Nancy; Terry Willis and wife Holly; Shana Kimball and husband Mark; and the light of his life, granddaughter Kayla Willis. Many nephews and nieces and lots of in-laws.

 

Ken grew up on a farm in Murfreesboro Arkansas. He served in the Army during the Korean war. He opened and ran The Charcoal Broiler in Denton from 1965 through 1975. He then worked 20 years with Grandy’s operating the Irving Pioneer location and then working in the corporate office doing research and testing. For seven years, he and Sue ran a food booth during First Monday Trade Days in Canton, Texas. He also worked for the water board in Hempstead County, Arkansas. He was most proud of his time with the Crossroads Volunteer Fire Department and raising a garden and selling at the farmer’s market.

 

Those wishing to make donations in lieu of flowers may give to the Crossroads Volunteer Fire Department, Shover Springs Cemetery, or New Hope Baptist Church of Hope.

 

Visitation will be 6:00 to 8:00pm, Monday night, May 29th at Brazzel-Oakcrest Funeral Home in Hope.

 

Funeral service will be at Shover Springs Baptist Church at 10:00AM on Tuesday, May 30th, with burial in Shover Springs Cemetery. Bro. Neal Ridling and Bro. Larry Byers will be officiating. Arrangements are by BRAZZEL/Oakcrest The Funeral Home of Hope, Eddie BRAZZEL, Director. Online guest register: www.brazzelfuneralhomes.com